Handles and stabilizers for mattresses



June 7, 1966 E. 1 BRONSTIEN, SR 3,254,349

HANDLES AND STABILIZERS FOR MATTRESSES Filed Oct. 31, 1963 III/11111:: lllllrll- INVENTOR. Edward Lflmnszien, 5/: BY j l/ Qizfys 3,254,349 HANDLES AND STABILIZERS FOR MATTRESSES Edward L. Bronstien, Sr., St. Paul, Minn., assignor to The This invention relates to mattress constructions in which there are provided stabilizers and handle means preferably as an assembly whereby a cooperative relationship therebetween can be achieved.

It is well-known that mattress constructions have been provided with stabilizers in order to maintain the shape of the mattress and in order to improve the functioning thereof. Conventional stabilizers comprise members formed of wire which are located in association with the side walls of mattresses.

The stabilizers are disposed so that they will tend to spread apart whereby a constant spacing between the top and bottom of the mattress at the side edges can be achieved. The stabilizers thus assist the coil springs in the mattress in preserving the mattress configuration. The stabilizers tend to maintain the lateral edges in a proper spaced apart relationship when the mattress is in use so that an individual will not tend to roll out of the bed. This tendency as well as a loss of satisfactory appearance will result where the side edges of a mattress become depressed.

It is also well-known that certain difliculties arise in attempting to transport large mattresses from one location to another or in otherwise handling mattresses. Mattress constructions are known to be heavy and quite awkward and it is difficult to grip the constructions without the provision of handles. In order to overcome these difiiculties, handles have been formed in the side walls of most mattresses.

Handle means now employed are characterized by certain difficulties. Where the handles are tied to the side wall of a mattress, the fabric comprising the cover is prone to tearing. In order to overcome this difliculty, handles have been designed whereby they are. tied direct- 1y to coil springs within the mattress. In many cases; however, this did not provide an adequate solution since the coil springs tended to be displaced, and since tearing of mattress fabrics could result.

sembly of mattress constructions since in many cases, handle designs have unduly complicated assembly operations.

One object of the present invention relates to the provision of an improved stabilizer construction which is uniquely suitable for maintaining a desired configuration in a mattress construction.

An additional object of the instant invention relates to a stabilizer construction of the type described which is extremely durable in character and which has sufiicient resilient strength to function throughout the normal life of a mattress.

A further object of the instant invention relates to the provision of a stabilizer for use in mattress constructions which is adapted tobe employed in combination with a handle for the constructions whereby the stabilizer will assist in the proper functioning of the handle.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevation ofa mattress construction which includes the improved means of this invention;

United States Patent In addition to these 'difficulties, problems have arisen with respect to the as- Ice FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the improvements of this invention as they appear from the interior of the construction;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken about the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken about the line 44 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 5 is an explodedperspective view of certain elements employed in the improved means of this invention.

The mattress construction of this invention may be of any conventional design such as the type employing coil springs which are arranged in side-by-side relationship throughout the construct-ion with the respective axes thereof being vertically disposed. It is also contemplated that the improvements of this invention can be incorporated in mattress constructions which include upper and lower border wires for defining the external configuration of the mattress. Tie wires, which are employed for interconnecting coil springs and \for attaching outer coil springs to the border wires, can be employed in a conventional manner and can also be utilized for securing the stabilizer means of this invention.

The stabilizer means'of this invention is formed of wire and defines horizontal upper and lower portions and intermediate side portions. The side portions include resilient means whereby the upper and lower portions can be maintained in a spaced apart relationship so that these portions are capable of holding the side walls of the mattress to a desired configuration.

The unique characteristics of the stabilizer of this invention are embodied in the resilient spring members which are formed in inwardly extending side portions. These spring members overlap, and their action has been found to greatly increase the supporting function of the stabilizers as well as to increase the durability and, therefore, the life of the stabilizers.

As will appear hereinafter, the particular design for the stabilizers of this invention enables the provision of a handle for the mattress in association with the stabilizer. In this preferred form of the invention, the handle is attached to a plate utilized for retaining the stabilizer in a desired position. This plate, therefore, serves a dual function since it also prevents damage to the mattress during use of the handle, which damage could occur if the handle were attached directly to the fabric or to the internal spring construction.

In the drawings, there is illustrated a mattress 10 which includes top wall 12, bottom wall 14 and side walls 16. The mattress may be of a conventional design including coil springs 18, border wires 20, and tie wires 22. An outer covering 24 may be provided for the mattress in accordance with conventional practice.

The stabilizer construction 26 of this invention is best shown in FIGURES 2 through 5. This construction comprises upper and lower horizontal portions 28 and 30 and side portions 32. In the embodiment illustrated, the upper and lower portions are formed by means of arms associated with two sections making up the stabilizer. It will be understood, however, that these upper and lower portions could be formed of continuous wires integral with the side portions 32. Accordingly, the stabilizer could be a onepiece construction as well as the two-section embodiment illustrated.

The side portions 32 define a V-shaped configuration with the apices thereof comprising spring turns 34. In the assembled condition, the respective apices overlap whereby any movement of the portions 28 and 30 toward each other will tend to force the apices apart. It will be appreciated that the spring turns 34 operate to resist any movement of the portions 28 and 30 toward each other. Ac-

Patented June 7, 1966 v cordingly, pressure exerted on the side wall of the mattress which may cause these portions to move together will be resisted by the stabilizers and the spring members will act to return the side walls of the mattress to a normal configuration when the pressure is released.

In order to assemble the stabilizer in the mattress construction, the tie wires 22 may be utilized to secure the horizontal portions to the border wires 18 and 20. To secure the side portions of the stabilizer, there is provided a flexible plate 36. This plate defines slots 38 through which fasteners 40 are adapted to extend. These fasteners also extend through the openings 42 defined by the spring turns 34. In the embodiment illustrated, the fasteners are threaded at their ends so that a secure assembly can be provided through the use of nuts 44 and washers 46.

Some means are provided for fixing the flexible plate 36 to the side wall 16. When the plate is so fixed, the stabilizers are held in the desired position in association with the side wall. It will be noted that the provision of the elongated slots 38 enables relative movement of the fasteners 40 and the associated springs 34 with respect to the plate 36. It Will be understood that a single elongated slot could be employed in the same manner as the pair of slots illustrated.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a handle 48 is provided on the exterior of the side wall 16 for association with the stabilizer described. This handle includes a gripping portion 50 and end portions 52. These end portions extend through grommets 54 which also serve to hold the ends of the plate 36 in position on the side wall. Barbs 56 are attached to the end portions 52 to prevent displacement of the handle when a pulling force is applied thereto.

It will be appreciated that when the handle 48 is gripped for carrying or other handling of the mattress, force will be applied to the side wall of the mattress. Distortion of the side wall will result; however, the stabilizer will act to restore the desired mattress configuration. Thus, the stabilizer will prevent permanent distortion of a mattress in the area of a handle in addition to the more usual function at other locations along the side wall. It is also important to note that the plate 36 acts to resist any tendency toward tearing of the mattress fabric by the handle during use thereof. Accordingly, the plate 36 functions as an element in the operation of the stabilizer as well as in the operation of the handle.

It will be apparent that the stabilizers alone or in combination with the handle 48 can be provided at various locations around the side wall of a mattress. In any case, the unique stabilizer design will serve to preserve the configuration of the mattress. Since the handle 48 can be included along with the stabilizer, the assembly of these combined elements is simplified in this respect.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made in the elements described above which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a mattress construction wherein a plurality of coil springs are arranged in side-by-side relationship with their respective axes disposed vertically and wherein a covering is provided for the top, bottom and side walls of said construction, the improvement comprising a stabilizer for said construction, said stabilizer including horizontal top and bottom portions and side portions which extend inwardly toward each other, said side portions comprising resilient members normally urging said horizontal portions away from each other, spring turns formed in the apices of said side portions, said spring turns providing the resilient character therein, and means holding said stabilizer in assocation with a side wall of said construction, said spring turns defining openings for receiving said holding means and including a fiat flexible plate disposed on the interior surface of the side wall of said construction, slots defined by said plate for receiving said holding means for said stabilizer, said slots being elongated whereby said holding means slide relative to said slots when said construction is subjected to pressure.

2. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said holding means comprise threaded members extending through said slots and then through said turns, and means securing said threaded members in said construction.

3. A construction in accordance with claim 2 including a handle having a gripping portion exposed on the exterior of said side wall, and end portions extending through said side wall, said end portions being secured at the ends of said flexible plate.

4. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein the horizontal portions of said stabilizer comprise continuous lengths of wire integral with said side portions.

5. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein said side portions comprise V-shaped members with said spring turns being formed at the apices thereof.

6. A construction in accordance with claim 1 wherein the apices of said side portions are disposed in overlapping relationship.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,322,995 6/1943 Allen 5-345 2,662,235 12/1953 Ferguson 5345 2,857,603 10/1958 Rymland 5-260 2,974,326 3/1961 Ross 5-260 X FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A MATTRESS CONSTRUCTION WHEREIN A PLURALITY OF COIL SPRINGS ARE ARRANGED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE AXES DISPOSED VERTICALLY AND WHEREIN A COVERING IS PROVIDED FOR THE TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A STABILIZER FOR SAID CONSTRUCTION, SAID STABILIZER INCLUDING HORIZONTAL TOP AND BOTTOM PORTIONS AND SIDE PORTIONS WHICH EXTEND INWARDLY TOWARD EACH OTHER, SAID SIDE PORTIONS COMPRISING RESILIENT MEMBERS NORMALLY URGING SAID HORIZONTAL PORTIONS AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, SPRING TURNS FORMED IN THE APICES OF SAID SIDE PORTIONS, SAID SPRING TURNS PROVIDING THE RESILIENT CHARACTER THEREIN, AND MEANS HOLDING SAID STABILIZER IN ASSOCIATION WITH A SIDE WALL OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, SAID SPRING TURNS DEFINING OPENINGS FOR RECEIVING SAID HOLDING MEANS AND INCLUDING A FLAT FLEXIBLE PLATE DISPOSED ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE SIDE WALL OF SAID CONSTRUCTION, SLOTS DEFINED BY SAID PLATE FOR RECEIVING SAID HOLDING MEANS FOR SAID STABILIZER, SAID SLOTS BEING ELONGATED WHEREBY SAID HOLDING MEANS SLIDE RELATIVE TO SAID SLOTS WHEN SAID CONSTRUCTION IS SUBJECTED TO PRESSURE. 